Siff 50 yrs pt 2

 The cover is from a different year.

 SIFF celebrates 50 years, here are some of the films I saw in 1995, 1.Cold Comfort Farm  2.Half Spirit - Voice of the Spider 3.Dallas Doll and 4. Confession of a pretty lady both starring Sandra Bernhard, the first time I met this comedic actress. 5.Afrique, Mon Afrique 6.Heaven't a Drag 6.Chungking Express 7.The Postman 8.1-900 9.Bleeding Hearts the directorial debut of Gregory Hines 10.The Brothers McMullen 11.Crumb 12.Denise Calls Up 13.The Doom Generation the second time I would meet Greg Araki. 14.Headless Body In A Topless Bar 15. Joe's Rotten World 16.Live Nude Girls 17.Living in Oblivion starring Steve Buscemi 18. Picture Bride 19.Party Girl 20.Swimming With Sharks 21.To Die For 22.The Usual Suspects

I love Films and Movies regardless of whether they are great or not. It takes a lot to get a project off the ground so just getting it completed is worth my time. Of course there are things I don't like, but I feel one should see it from start to finish. There could be that one scene or actor that makes it all worth while. Sometimes its the ending that brings it all together and then it all makes sense. Art in any fashion is all about interpretation.

SIFF celebrates 50 years

 The cover from 2007.

 The Seattle Internation Film Festival is celebrating fifty years. The festival has been bringing great film making from around the world to audiences. For several years in a row I attended the festival which shows more films, movies and documentaries than any other festival.

I had no expectation when I attended the festival for the first time. I was just going to spend time with a friend and catch a few movies. Having never been to Seattle I didn't know much about the city. I checked into a hotel near Pioneer Square which I found out was the heart of downtown. It put me in walking distance of the theaters. It rained, but not your typical rain. It was like a mist, and I found it to be cold. I ended up seeing about 35 films and movies that first year. I would have seen more, but I had to take time to eat. I don't know how some of the people did it. I am not a coffee drinker, so Starbucks wasn't going to cut it for me. That was also my first time of hearing of Starbucks and there seemed to be one on every corner. Once I got used to the rain, I wasn't going to let anything stop me from getting out and walking around. After that first day, the sun came out and it was very pleasant.

Here are 50 films I had seen during my time attending the festival. This is not a complete list, and it includes movies and documentaries. They are in no particular order. There are a few that I have never been able to find on DVD and as far as I know they never got a theatrical release. Some of the films I list one of the actors. Some of the titles are foreign films. They are all worth watching if you love films and movies as much as I do.

Besieged- Thandi Newton * SEX IS...* Defying Gravity * Love and Human Remains - Thomas Gibson &Mia Kirshner * Romper Stomper Russell Crowe * Hammers on the Anvil- Charlotte Rampling * UnZipped- documentary on fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi * House of Angels * Acting on Impulse C. Thomas Howell * Twenty Bucks * Les Visiteurs - Jean Reno* Saturn - Scott Caan * Burn * The Secret Life of Girls- Linda Hamilton * Freak Talks About Sex * Golden Balls * Jamon Jamon * The Low Life- Rory Cochran * Kika * Menace II Society * Man Bites Doug * Al Lupo Al Lupo * White Marriage * Crush * The Doom Generation * The Confessional * The Wedding Banquet * Bound by Honor (Blood in , Blood out) * The Music of Chance * Quick * The Abyss (special edition) * Crush * Orlando * Dazed and Confused * Train Spotting- Robert Carlisle * The Pillow Book- Ewan McGregor * Get Real * Lotto Land * Chain of Desire * Twin Falls Idaho * Priscilla Queen of the Desert * Gods and Monsters- Brendan Fraser * The Velocity of Gary- Selma Hayek * Desert Blue- Christina Ricci * Get Bruce (documentary on comic writer Bruce Vilanch * Creature (documentary) * Sick -The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan (documentary) * Scratch the Surface (documentary on the modeling industry) * East Side Story (documentary)

There are just so many movies...

 

There is no way that one can see every single movie and really take it in and give a favorable opinion. When I watch films or movies, I have to be in a certain mood for some subjects. As I get older I find myself not being able to stay up as late now watching movies. My body is starting to tell me to go to bed before midnight. Now it could be natural since I wake up early, or it could just be that the film or movie just isn't holding my interest. I would like to say it's because I wake up early and it's finally catching up with me.

Between Amazon Prime and the library I have been in movie watching overload. Some of them are quite memorable and others I can't remember the title or who was in it. There are so many actors that I've never heard of some of the people. I usually watch a movie based on the subject matter, but sometimes it's because of an actor or actress. Recently I watched two movies because it starred Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead. It's funny because one of the movies I had seen many years before The Walking Dead, but I didn't really remember him in The Boondock Saints. At the time Sean Patrick Flannery was an up and coming star. I had forgotten that Willem Dafoe was in the movie, but it all came back to me when I started watching as to what my mind had stored. I have to try and remember to write down the movies I watch on Amazon and I need to write what I am going to post here first so that I don't repeat certain things. Of course there is a possibility I may have watched something a second time such was the case with Game Night and Bridesmaids.

Last night I watched The King of Staten Island with Pete Davidson. I like Pete on SNL and since the story was supposed to be about him I thought I would check it out. It was okay and it had some moments. Hopefully he'll get a chance to do something else that can showcase what he can do.

I watched M. Night Shayamalan 's film OLD. This was one that I wanted to see because of the subject matter. It was interesting, but it is slow at times. The aging is instant so the camera goes away and when it comes back some one has aged. It's the children that have the drastic change. There are some moments where you wish it had been explained a little more, but the premise is different.

Another movie I watched was Kill Bill, Vol 1. Now I am a fan of Quentin Tarentino, but I am not sure why I never really cared to see Kill Bill. Perhaps I thought since the leads were female I wouldn't enjoy it... I am really not sure. I like Quentin's handling of dialog, it's realistic. People talking over each other and sometimes the audience may miss something just like in real life. I will have to see if I can locate Vol 2 and see how it all ties in. I was disappointed that Vivica Fox wasn't on the screen longer.

The Hitman's Wife's, Body Guard- Once you get past the language it's quite the entertaining movie. I had met Salma Hayek many years ago at the Seattle International Film festival. And I photographed Ryan Reynolds at SXSW in Austin.

I was not impressed with Ghostbusters After Life. I felt it took too long to get to the action. The best part for me was the little marshmellows. I will probably watch it again just to see if I feel differently the second time around.

I've been watching season 2 of the series on Prime, The Wilds. Season 2 is much better than season 1. At the end of season 1 we are left with a cliff hanger that the same experiment is being conducted on the island with a group of guys.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

Remembering SIFF 1993

 One of the SIFF Program Covers

6-2-20 Today I finally made a post to my blog. The library opened for drop offs yesterday and I dropped off the two DVDs that I had borrowed before the Shelter in Place orders.
It was good to see that people are beginning to bring stuff back, but there is a 72 hour quarantine for items before they can be checked out again. I miss being able to go inside and see what was new on the shelf. Books, DVDs and music that I never heard of or always wanted to read, view or listen to and never had the opportunity.
It was good to see that I was not the only person in the parking lot using the wi fi. It had begun to drizzle, but then it stopped so I was able to complete everything.
Sunday evening my television went out. At first I thought it might have been the Blu Ray player as there was still sound. I tried a few things and then I just gave up on it. Yesterday I tried again, but I wasn't even getting any sound. Since I can't see the screen I probably selected something on the remote and there was no signal. Today I contacted the company and there was nothing they could do. Since the television wasn't mine, I'm not sure if it was ever registered and if the warranty on that particular part. He thought it might be the lights aftere we tried a few things. He came to the conclusion that it would cost more to repair than to buy a new TV. Of course I would definitely go with another brand, but I am not ready to buy a new tv at the moment.
So, this weeks films and movies are a tribute to SIFF, The Seattle International Film Festival. It was in 1993 that I took my first trip to Seattle. This was the 19th annual SIFF. It would be a yearly thing until 1999. It was a life changing experience. I've always been interested in film making from a very young age. I was going to Seattle to visit a friend and we timed it around the event. I have always  been more out going than most of my friends. So when he told me about all the people he was meeting I asked if he was making connections and he said no. So I knew it would be up to me.
I arrived in Seattle on Friday May 28.  always hit the ground running when I am on vacation. It all starts the minute I embark from the plane. So, we had to have gone straight to the theater based upon the show times. The first movie was around 7:15 PM Seattle time. The film was called Hammers on the Anvil and it starred Charlotte Rampling and an actor by the name of Russell Crowe. It turned out to be a double feature night as the second movie also starred Russell Crowe and Daniel Pollock both who are Austrailian actors. So after Romper Stomper, I remember Russell Crowe being there. The film was so disturbing for me that I wasn't interested in meeting him. In fact, Russell Crowe wasn't known in the U.S. at this point. Virtuosity hadn't been released yet. I didn't know the protocol for the festival as far as pictures and autographs, etc. I was observing and being introduced to people who were involved in the festival.

Man Bites Dog- This satirical film, shot in black and white about independent film making. The film crew goes around filling a guy that robs and kills people in order to fianance the movie. There are a few violent moments and racial shots are taken at everyone. It is quite interesting and each time I see it, I see something different. Note: This is only my second time watching the film. The film stars Benoit Poelvoorde, Remy Belvaux (He is also one of the cinematographers) and Andre Bonzel

Chain of Desire- This is another film that stars Linda Fiorentino, it was written a directed by Temistocles Lopez. Malcolm McDowell, Elias Koteas, Seymour Cassell, Asumpta Serna, Patrick Bauchau, Suzzanne Douglas, Dewey Weber, Tim Guinee, Grace Zabriskie, Jamie Harrold, York Bergin and Todd Bailey. What I liked about this film is the interconnection of the stories. I don't want to give anything away, but there were several films that I had seen in the 90's that were told in this fashion. Each character had a connection with the next and it came full circle. I had spoken briefly with Temi during the Q & A and after the film I was introduced to him by one of the founders of the festival, Daryl McDonald, to get an autograph. The music is interesting and there are some great moments in the night club. There are several scenes that are quite unique, but I don't want to give anything away.

Acting on Impulse- When you see a film or movie at a film festival, it can be different when it gets released into the theaters or when it makes its way to video or DVD. This movie took on a different name (Roses Are Dead) which is probably why I was never able to locate it. It stars Linda Fiorentino as a scream queen accused of murder. She takes a break from filming, befriends two sales people and has to deal with a stalker. I really enjoyed it when I saw it at the festival. Two years ago when I finally added it to my collection, I didn't feel the same way. This time I really enjoyed it. For me, mood does play a big part in my Film and movie watching. I prefer watching movies with subtitles or that are epic on a Sunday. It's a day of relaxation. Action movies are better at night and comedies midday. C. Thomas Howell, Nancy Allen, Paul Bartel, Adam Ant, Patrick Bauchau and Isaac Hayes star in this comedy/thriller.

Dazed and Confused- I always find it interesting when years lapse between the time I saw a film or movie. It's like watching it for the first time. Of course there are some things you remember, but there are some new things that pop up. I remembered Mathew McConaughey was in the movie as well as Rory Cochrane, but I didn't remember that Milla Jovovich, Jeremy London and Parker Posey also starred. The sound track to this movie was pretty good. It brings back memories. Of course there are similarities of life in high school, but each experience is different. I wasn't really familiar with Richard Linklater, but I had seen Slacker a few years prior. Cochrane and McConaughey have some of the better lines in the movie. If you haven't seen it, it is definitely one everyone should see.

Fortress- This was one of those movies that seemed appealing based on the Synopsis or we had nothing else planned on the schedule. The movie starred Christopher Lambert, Kurtwood Smith and Loryn Locklin. Set in 2013 a man and his wife are sent to a high tech prison for murdering a robot. The movie has its moments. Note: There was even a sequel Fortress 2 and the only reason I saw that was because Pam Grier became a part of the cast.


Thanks for stopping by; Keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.

www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
www.artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
www.filmlover4pg@blogspot.com

www.psychedmaster.org

Ramblings of an artist 5-18-20

 5-7-20 It takes money to make money - that was my post on facebook 5-6-20. I am not sure where I heard this or if I read it some place, but it has stayed with me and I understand it. Whatever you want to do you have to have some money to get it started. If you are looking for a job, you have to have money for gas or bus fare. If you want to buy a house you need to have the down payment in most cases, but you have to be ready to make the first payment and you have to have a job to secure that it will be feasible. What I was referring to was me getting the internet so that I can decide what my next plan of action will be. So I can take care of business and join in on any invitations I get via the net from colleagues and friends.

5-9-20 I've started communicating with a friend that I hadn't spoken to in a while. It's been the case with many people. Everyone is looking for some sort of connection. I don't usually have a problem being by myself, but when you don't really have a choice in the matter that can make a person a bit antsy. I've been copying music to my laptop and trying to decide which music CDs I want to get rid of. There's a lot music and movies that I won't watch. And since it'll be a while before I invite anyone over... the chances of them wanting to see a certain film or movie are probably slim. Still, sometimes I am in the mood to watch one of those movies that I hadn't seen in over 30 years.

5-10-20 Today is Mother's day. It's one of those days that I just prefer to be by myself. When I started going back to church I would have an issue with this day because the priest would ask all the mother's to stand up so they could be acknowledged. My mother passed away in 2005, a few days before her birthday. Which makes me remember lots of things for several weeks. When I used to travel a lot I used to always make it a point to make it home for my mother's birthday or Mother's Day. The year she passed away, I was on the Big Island of Hawaii. Prior to leaving New Orleans for my trip, my mother was rushed to the hospital and wasnt supposed to live through the night, but that wasn't the case. I had made all the possible arrangements by Louisiana law that I could make. I knew my mother wouldn't have wanted me to cancel my trip. I was confident in my decision and I had instructed the family not to call me if she were to pass while I was away. Of course there is always someone that doesn't listen. The doctors and nurses all had instructions and told me they would take care of everything. Most of what happened when I got back home is a blur. I do remember planning the day in which the services would actually take place. It was the end of May when we finally had the services and buried my mother. It was somewhat of a difficult time as I didn't know what I was going to do. I had been retired at this point for 5 years.
There was still a lot of stuff that needed to be taken care of and I had to get myself focused. I didn't want to be around other people who were able to celebrate their mother's. Now I just have memories of certain things.

5-13-20 I finally contacted Spectrum to order the least expensive offer to access the internet. It'll be a while before the modem arrives, but I shouldn't have to limit my time online. I am not planning to spend a large amount of time online like in the past, but I will be able to conduct business. Get my taxes done, do some research. Get back to writing on all of my blogs and not just this one.
During the Quarantine it's allowed me more time to remember certain things. Memories are all some of us have to get us through. Hopefully there are more good memories than bad. I was thinking about how I got my first computer and internet access.
The year was 1993 and I was had gone to Seattle for the first time to visit and friend and attend the Seattle Internation Film Festival (SIFF).
I had the opportunity to attend one of the parties and met this woman. Before leaving she had given me her business card so that we could stay in touch, but she said she would only do business with me if I had an email address. Shortly after returning to New Orleans I went to Radio Shack and bought my first computer. For a brief moment Prodigy was my email and the quickly discovered AOL and it all changed from there. I never actually did business with the woman that started it all, but we did stay in touch for a while. The internet opened a whole new world. I met new people and I was able to keep in touch with some of the people I had met. I didn't know many people with computers at the time,but that soon changed with AOL's chat rooms and soon the list was growing. I met lots of artists and we were able to share ideas and art.
This weeks films and movies, all have to do with fashion. Ready to Wear ("Pret-A-Porter") the Robert Altman film about fashion week in Paris.The large ensemble casts includes Julia Roberts, Tim Robbins, Sophia Loren, Francois Cluzet, Ute Lemper, Linda Hunt, Tracy Ullman, Sally Kellerman, Stephen Rea, Forest Whitaker, Richard E. Grant, Danny Aiello, Teri Garr, Lyle Lovett, Jean Rochefort, Rupert Evertt, Lauren Bacall, Kim Bassinger, Michel Blanc and Marcello Mastroianni. Featuring Cher, Gianfranco Ferre, Jean Paul Gaultier and many others.
Saint Laurent is about the iconic fashion designer. It jumps around, but for those interested in fashion it's worth a look. Creative liscense is usually taken in biographies to make it more interesting.
Phantom Thread stars Daniel Day Lewis as a designer set in his ways, that secretly hides notes in his designs. He meets a woman that is the perfect mannequin and they start a relationship that becomes some what toxic.

Unzipped is a documentary about Isaac Mizrahi preparing for his collection and how he wanted to try something new. I preferred the documentary over Ready to Wear when I first saw it. Ready to Wear seemed to want to make fun of the fashion industry which when I look back on how things were some things can be funny. I like looking at films and movies many years later to see if I still feel the same way about them as I did the very first time. Unzipped features many celebrities, including Eartha Kitt, Sandra Bernhard and Super models Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Veronica Webb and Christy Turlington.
The September Issue is a documentary about Vogue's staff preparing the biggest issue of the year.
Mahogany starring Diana Ross as a wanna be fashion designer turned model until she finally fulfills her dream. The movie stars Anthony Perkins as a domineering photographer and Billy Dee Williams as a wanna be political activist.

Things didn't workout with me getting the internet through Spectrum. I am not ready to have someone come into my home so the self install needed the cable box to be activated. Just wasn't meant to be. We'll see what happens next.

5-17-20 I went to the grocery this morning. I wasn't as anxious as I had been the last two times. I'm going to try and wait another 14 days before I go to the store again. There were some people not wearing masks. I'm not sure if they just don't care or if they like taking risks or they want someone to tell them something so they can get into a confrontation. I got what I needed and came home. I had thought about going over to ZACH and just park for a change of scenery, but I decided to watch a few episodes of Mannix. I had been watching epic classic movies from my collection on Sunday. A few weeks ago it was Lawrence of Arabia, Easter Sunday it was The Ten Commandments, last Sunday it was Gone With The Wind and today it was Cleopatra. Next Sundady I'm thinking The Bridge on the River Kwai. This coming week will begin Foreign Films including Leolo, Like Water For Chocolate, Cinema Paradiso, House of Angels, To Live, Fanaa and Y Tu Mama' Tambi'en.

Thanks for stopping by; Keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.

www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
www.artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
www.filmlover4pg@blogspot.com

www.psychedmaster.org

Movies, Movies Summer 2019

As most of you know I have been getting the majority of my movies from the library to watch. It allows me to see movies I wouldn't go to the theater to see and it gives me something to write about.
There are just so many movies being made; it's hard to keep up. Every time I look at a movie and I see the previews I make notes of what I would like to see. I try to decipher what might be a film or a movie under my standards.

Most foreign movies I consider films. There is an artistic element in the way that it is shot and there are more realistic portrayals of life than what we see in American movies. From a very early age I related to foreign films. I know some people don't like them because they have to read the subtitles if they don't speak the language. I probably felt that way until I took the time to actually watch one.
I remember when I was really young watching the film Two Women with Sophia Loren with my mother's mother on TV. It had a profound effect on me. It's probably the first movie set in Italy and it probably put the idea in my head that I would like to go there some day.

I'm going to start with the most recent film I watched and work my way backwards. There was a film called Mother directed by Darren Aronofsky with Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris and Michelle Pfieffer. I wasn't sure where the story was going and that was the intent of the director. There are lots of twists and turns which makes it interesting. I thought it was another story within a story like the film Nocturnal Animals.
The special effects in the film are great. All of the actors give incredible performances.
I am working on some ideas for a novella and like Mother which starts at the end, I use this to open my story. (Some stories start at the beginning, some start in the middle and others at the end.)


That film stars Jake Gyllenhall, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon. This one is a story within a story with a lot of surprises. I just didn't like the ending, but it was revealed through one of the art pieces that appears in the film. It's okay, but I was left wanting more. Perhaps its a good thing, but there is no need for a sequel.
I don't think I will add either to my collection unless I find them at a reduced price.
I had been talking about Michael Shannon after seeing The Shape Of Water. He has played many roles, but he's rarely the lead. Perhaps its his appearance. He is a very tall guy and he's usually the bad guy. Although his character draws you in, he does have a violent side as well. We see how people change when they experience a traumatic experience. In the case of Jake Gyllenhall it's all about revenge.

There were some movies that didn't make a big impact and I was sort of disappointed. I was thinking of something else to write. Big name stars that do bad movies and unknown stars that do good movies and those in between.
Reading the words on a page is one thing. You sort of visualize what you can bring to the role or the part you would like to play. It really depends on the story. I watched a movie called Collision Earth and the special effects were not the best, but the premise was interesting. Actors come from various areas - stage, small screen aka television. So I wonder if that has a lot to do with the transition when things don't seem to work as well. Kirk Acevedo stars in Collision Earth, but it seems as if he's over acting at times. I remembered him from the television series Oz. Then he did some other TV work. Of course actors have to work and they have bills that need to be paid like everyone else.

I saw a movie called Sleepless that starred Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monahan, Tip (T.I.) Harris, Dermott Mulroney, David Harbour, Scott Newbury and Gabrielle Union. This was a surprise. I don't recall ever seeing a promo for this movie, but it wouldn't have made a difference. I wouldn't have gone to see it at the theater. It did have an interesting premise and there was a lot of action. It kept me interested and guessing as to what was really going on. It was quite entertaining.

Another movie that was a surprise was The Commuter which starred Liam Neeson,Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill, Johnathan Banks, Patrick Wilson and Elizabeth McGovern. It's sort of in the style of Hitchcock's Strangers on the train. It's sort of psychological, thriller and action which really makes it a good movie. I've never seen any of Liam Neeson's action movies. I remember Nell and Suspect, but I don't recall anything else. I've not seen the Taken movies all the way through. I don't even know which one I saw on regular television. Perhaps I will look for them on my next trip to the library.

Friday night I watched a movie called Bomb City. I just picked it up because the cover was interesting and the premise was a little disturbing, but it wasn't what I was expecting. First it is based on a true story that happened in Amarillo Texas. It's about a group of misfits (Punks) that the rich kids have an issue with. The Punks are trying to make their own rules and the other kids don't like the way they dress and there is a clash. It made me think of this club I used to hang out in NOLA called De Ja Vue in the French Quarter. The experience was truly so different than my usual surroundings.
There are several altercations in this movie that result in a death. The movie goes back and forth from in its story telling. I liked it in the way that it does show a different side of people of the same race not getting along. The misinterpretation that people get when they see someone that looks different than they do. I was surprised that no one did any jail time.

Thanks for stopping by; do come back again. If any movies of are interest, check out your library or your source for movie watching and give them a viewing.

The Cement Garden

There are many films that I don’t watch often. It has a lot to do with my mood and the subject matter. I usually watch foreign films on Sundays, when I don’t have anything else to do. That way I can focus on reading the subtitles.

There are other films like The Cement Garden, it’s a foreign film that is in English. I like being surprised as the story unfolds. I remembered the synopsis and it was still just as entertaining, but there was something else that I realized.

Madonna has a song called, (What It Feels Like For A Girl) I never paid attention that the opening stanza of the song was from the film The Cement Garden which of course Madonna gives credit to. All artists are inspired by certain things. It can be a movie, a painting, a person…

The film is based upon the book The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan. It was written and directed by Andrew Birkin. The film stars Andrew Robertson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alice Coulthard, Ned Birkin, Sinead Cusack and Hannz Zischler.
The film surrounds a family in a moral wasteland when the father suddenly dies and then the mother takes ill and dies, the children have to grow up, but its not that easy for Jack who turns 16 before his mother’s death.

I don’t like giving away key elements of a film, but it has to do with a boy becoming a man and the awkward time in his life as his sexual desires are poured out onto his sister who takes on the role of mother.

This is one of those films that is truly a work of art. Great visuals and a must see for film lovers.

Thanks for stopping by; do keep an open mind and come back again.

Pam Grier Month

May is set aside to watch Pam Grier movies, as the actress has a birthday toward the end of the month. I started this many years ago as there were enough films in my collection to watch one every day. This year I've been very busy with work and other things that I've not made the time to watch a movie every night. Thursday I watch Coffy which remains one of my all time favorite Pam Grier films. Despite the 70's pimp fashions, everything else still holds up. Same issues, but we don't have women running around as vigilantes.

Last night I decided to watch Jackie Brown. The film was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino who wrote the script because he was also fascinated by Pam Grier. I don't know when he first saw Pam Grier in a film, but I was 12.

Jackie Brown is a long film so I don't watch it every year like most of the other films. I wasn't all that crazy about it the first time I saw it. Perhaps it was the big deal that Mr. Tarantino was resurrecting Miss Grier's career, but as far as I was concerned she had never really stopped working. She was doing guest appearances and had a show on cable. Besides, I had my movie collection, every article and pictures I could find. Luckily having access to industry memorabilia I didn't have to spend a lot of money.

There was something different about watching the film last night. I enjoyed it more. It had been about 10 years since I had watched it so that may have had something to do with it. I've always liked the way Tarantino wrote. His dialogue is so real. Some people do talk fast and over each other and then there are those who are just quiet. We see all of these things in Jackie Brown.

Of course in every film there are some things that don't mesh together. In Coffy we never know the characters first name. And her last name is Coffin and so she is nick named Coffy.

In Jackie Brown her hair in one scene is one way and when the camera angle changes so does the hair. It's still a fun film, but not as much blood as we've come to expect from Tarantino.
The music from the film pays homage to some of Pam Grier's older films.
A lot of the music is a part of the soundtrack to my life. The Delfonics and The Brothers Johnson.

If I get a chance I'll try to watch another of Miss Grier's films that are in the collection.

Channel Surfing

 (An original laser disc from one of my favorite Stanley Kubrick films. A Clockwork Orange.The first discs were in a hard shell with a vinyl record with audio and video content.)

 Since I don’t have cable and have no intention of getting it, when I watch regular television I channel surf during the commercials. This way I can keep up with all of the programs. Then if someone is talking about something I at least know what it is.
Last Sunday, since non of my regular shows are back, I found myself watching Miley Cyrus. I am certainly not a fan, but you sometimes want to see what all the fuss is about.
When the show opened all I could think about was Madonna.

From a distance Miley Cyrus looks like Madonna. Then she began doing similar moves, grabbing her crotch and wearing skimpy clothing. Although most of her fan base may not know anything about furby’s Miley is now introducing it to the world. There are people that love dressing up like animals and act like animals. It made for a very entertaining show and the music isn’t that bad. I enjoyed the little person and the big woman which I’m guessing it was a woman.

Miley is trying not to put labels on people which some people may have an issue with. Miley had a segment in the show where she encouraged people to kiss, but there was a lot of same sex kissing going on. Other than that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show.

TV on DVD
 The last few weeks I began watching Oz, one of my favorite cable series. I discovered Oz while at the home of a family member. I didn’t have cable and since they were watching… I then got hooked on the series from just one episode. When it finally came out on DVD I began collecting each season. Now I can watch them whenever the mood hits. I’ve seen the series several times now. Whenever regular television gets boring I can just pop in a series that I liked.

Months ago I went back down memory lane with the original Beverly Hills 90210 series. I have the first 3 seasons. I liked it a lot. It was silly at times, but they did capture high school life and dealt with some serious subjects. There are many subjects that are not easy to capture and make realistic each week. High school happens to be one of them. The modeling and film industry are also difficult to carry for a long period of time. Sometimes it doesn’t even work in a movie.

Following the Soprano’s I’d have to say The L Word is my third all time favorite cable show. Keep in mind, I didn’t have cable so I was only introduced to these shows by my friends. Of course I stumbled across the L Word at a Hollywood Video store. It was the first season and I saw Pam Grier’s name on the case. The only problem was that it was only the first few episodes of the first season. Then the search began to find the other discs to at least complete the first season. As a new season of any series becomes available, I would go back and start from the beginning. Soon I will begin watching the L Word which I’ve seen many times. I do like waiting long periods of time so that when I go back to watch a series or film. I will see things I didn’t remember or hadn’t seen before. Sometimes I’ll even see it from a different perspective.

Dallas was one of the first series that I would watch when it first came on. It was new, it was fresh and I was working for an Oil company so some of the business dialogue was realistic. Like most shows, its because of a celebrity that I start watching. Although I remembered Larry Hagman from the series I Dream of Jeannie. It was Victoria Principle that I was fascinated with. The only other thing I had seen her in was the disaster film Earthquake. After around the 4th or 5th season I didn’t watch it as often. There were so many other shows I used to watch that I have added at least one season to my collection. It just depends on how cheap I can get them. I am hoping to get the 3rd season of Dallas, that was the season in which JR was shot. Dynasty and Knots Landing have been added. I was thinking about at least one season of Falcon Crest and Melrose Place which was a spin off of Beverly Hills 90210. Some times one season is cheaper than another depending on the popularity and how many episodes that were shot. That allows me to buy the seasons out of sequence, but I won’t watch until I get the seasons prior.

I am a big fan of Criminal Minds and I’ve been trying to get most of the seasons. When I would go to NOLA, my sister and my aunt both had cable and Ion network would run back to back episode of Criminal Minds and Law and Order SVU. So I’d spend 4 hours emersed into the shows. Now that I’m watching my pennies I can’t buy anything that is over $20.00. Law and Order SVU is also one of my favs.

As I make the transition to save more money. This may be my last blog entry for a while. Become a follower or just check back from time to time to see if there have been any new entries. Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Remembering SIFF Brendan Fraser 1998

I was looking at a journal entry and it recalled my thoughts on meeting Brendan Fraser in 1998.  I had written that I wasn’t sure when I started to like Brendan Fraser as an actor. Maybe it wasn’t until I met him at a party in Seattle. I know some of the films I never would have gone to see in the theater. Airheads just didn’t seem like my type of film or Encino Man. I definitely was not a fan of Pauly Shore. I wanted to see With Honors, but it came and went quickly in NOLA. So, what was my first Brendan Fraser film? It was George of the Jungle, can you believe that? It’s crazy I know. Then I began what I call a film trail. To see the other films he had done.

I always try to get as much information from people as I can. I don’t allow myself to be intimidated by celebrities. They are just like everyone else, but you do have to be careful in your approach. Brendan and I talked for quite some time and stayed in touch for a few months. I respect him for his honesty and its possibly that has hurt him in Hollywood. With Honors is the film that put him on the map. His height and striking features. He lights up a room. The energy that surrounds him draws you in, yet he is very soft spoken. He is the second actor I’ve met that is big in stature, but seems so gentle. The first was Rutger Hauer. It took me by surprise, not what I expected at all.

When I met Brendan he was promoting a film called Still Breathing. It was a love story. The idea was to have this film come out on he heels of George of the Jungle, hoping people would want to see him. Of course that didn’t happen and the film didn’t play in NOLA at all. It turned up on video about 6 months later. Someone knew I had met Brenden so they gave me a special copy of Encino Man. It was one of those viewing copies with the tracking numbers.

I then added Twilight of the Golds and Mrs. Winterborne to my collection. In my opinion, his best performance is not The Mummy or Dudley Do Right, but his performance as the gardener in Gods and Monsters. Brendan should have been nominated for an Oscar for his performance. He was the only actor not nominated.

The story is about James Whale the openly gay director of such films as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. Although he did other films, he’ll be remember most for those two. Ian McKellan and Lynn Redgrave both gave worthy Oscar nominated performances. Brendan’s features obviously got him the role as he resembled Frankenstein.
The film flows very well and makes you think. It’s a film about the choices we make in life. How curiosity can get the best of us and the things we will do to help out a person we care about.

Brendan has done many films since, but not every actor gets another chance to play such a great character.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Happy 40th SIFF Part Six

May 21 - June 14, 1998 “Do You Like To Watch?”

(My best friend at the time was a big Star Wars fan, in fact I never would have seen any of the films if it hadn't of been for him. Yoda had his own space on a shelf.)

Paul Schell was now the new Mayor. Some of the films that I saw included This Is My Father (DDD) which was the opening night film. The Brandon Teena Story (DDDD), Kiki’s Delivery Service (DDD), The Governess (DDDD), Carried Away (DDDD), Melting Pot (DDDD), Uncut (DD) Canada, Lawn Dogs (DD) Great Britain, Metro land (DDD) Great Britain/France, Wilde (DDDDD) Great Britain, Manly Love (D) Spain, Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss (DDD), Burn (DDDDD), Dead Man’s Curve released as The Curve (DDDD), God Said Ha (DDD), God’s And Monsters (DDDDD), Henry Fool (DDD), High Art (DDDD), Homo Heights (DD), The Last Days of Disco (DDD), Mr’ P’s Dancing Sushi Bar (DD) USA/Vietnam, The Opposite of Sex (DDDD), Relax It’s Just Sex (DDD)

(This is me playing around. I think I used this image in Four One One.)

A few of the films I’ve never seen make it to VHS or DVD so the rating of the film may have changed on the foreign films if I had been able to watch them again.
I believe this was the year that I met Brendan Fraser, Thomas Jane and several Canadian film makers.

(Brendan Fraser at one of the film parties. He was promoting the film Gods and Monsters.)

There are many places in Seattle that I had made a point to visit in between films and parties. The Gravity Bar,Pioneer Square, The Broadway Market, Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum and Volunteer Park.

Seattle was becoming like a second home and during SIFF, I felt like a celebrity. I had a driver at my disposal and was able to attend some of the private functions. I had even been included in The Fool Serious Guide To Familiar Faces. That was quite an honor. The people I met while attending SIFF were just so nice and some of us are still friends today.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part seven by the end of the week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Happy 40th SIFF Part Five

May 15 - June 8, 1997 “Everything You Are About To See Is True”

(This was the cover of the program. Below is my interpretation of this cover because I thought it was interesting.)

Gary Locke was Governor and Norman B. Rice was still Mayor. There were a few celebrities I was meeting for the first time and some I had met before. I was also making new friends, but at the time I had no idea how long the friendships would last.

(This was one of my favorite films from 1995, based upon this article in the New York Post.)

Some of the movies that I saw were, East Side Story, License to Kill, I met Tara Fitzpatrick, who directed, produced and wrote, Scratch The Surface (DDDD) a documentary on the modeling industry.
Sick: the life & death of Bob Flanegan Super masochist (DDD) This film is everything the title implies. If you were every curious about sadomasochism this is the film to watch. Be warned it isn’t for the weak. Shall We Dance? (DDDD) Japan, this is the original not the remake with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. Lillies (DDD) Canada, Different for Girls (DDD) Great Britain, The Full Monty (DDDD) Great Britain, The Pillow Book (DDDDD) Great Britain, this has become my all time favorite Peter Greenaway film. This is the epitome of the art of film making. Dogs are Colorblind (DDD) Israel, Black Circle Boys (D)

 Breaking Up (D) this would be the second time that I would meet Russell Crowe and Salma Hayek. I would also witness Dan Ireland making a deal wit Salma Hayek to star in a film.

Defying Gravity (DDDD), Dream With The Fishes (DDD) I met David Arquette.

 A Gun, A Car, A Blonde (DD), In The Company of Men (DDDD), The Myth of Finger Prints (DDD), Somewhere in the City (D) I believe this is the year I met Sandra Bernhard.

Star Maps (DDDD), Still Breathing (DDD) I met Brendan Fraser, Twisted (DDD), The Watermelon Woman (DDDD). Twin Town (DDD) Wales



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part six next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Happy 40th SIFF Part Four

May 16 - June 9,1996 - Life Divided by 24


I never really got that theme, but that is the beauty of art, not everyone gets it. I met Emilio Estevez that year.

The films that I saw included, The Umbrella’s Under The Cherbourg (DDDD) France, Man of the Year, The Confessional (DDD) Canada, Great Britain and France, Intimate Relations Great Britain, Canada, I met Director Philip Goodhew, Stonewall (DDDD), Transpotting (DDDDD), Next Year We’ll Go To Bed by Ten (DDDD) Italy, Drunks, Girls Town (DDDD) I met director Jim McKay, I shot Andy Warhol (DDDD), Phenomenom (DDD), The Trigger Effect (DDDD), Welcome to the Doll House

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part five next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Happy 40th SIFF Part Three

1995- “The World Exposed” May 18 - June 11

(As I mentioned in the last entry I would cover what happened that I never wrote a script or submitted a film to SIFF. My friend and I had thought about doing a behind the scenes piece on one of my photo shoots. Towards the end of the year,  1994, my friend had an accident and he lost his eye sight.)

(This sculpture stands outside of (S.A.M.) Seattle Art Museum, it's called The Hammering Man)

I had become a Goodwill member of SIFF.

When I returned to Seattle I would be driving for the first time. Until I got my bearings it was like the blind leading the blind, literally. You know what its like to visit a place and someone else is driving so you just sit back and you don’t pay that much attention as to where you are going. That’s what happened on my previous visits, but then it all came back to me and it was like being home again. Seattle was feeling like a home away from home.

I was learning a lot about myself. Expressing myself through my photography and opening myself up to new experiences. There was more social activity this year so I didn't see as many films.

Brave heart (DDDD) was the opening night film and Cold Comfort Farm(DDD) was the closing night film. Half Spirit- Voice of the Spider(DD), Afrique Mon Afrique (DDD) Burkina Faso, A Busniess Affair Great Britain/France, Heaven’s A Drag Great Britain, The Postman Italy, 1-900 The Netherlands, Bleeding Hearts, Crumb, Denise Calls Up, The Doom Generation (DDDD), another film by Greg Araki. (This film would change the way I saw his films. This one was much better than the other film. Perhaps it was its over the top scenes of violence and sex. It was part porn, part art. Mr. Araki was also introducing the world to a lot of young talent.) Headless Body In A Topless Bar (DDDD),Joe's Rotten World, Live Nude Girls (DD), Living In Oblivion (DDD), Lotto Land (DDDD), The Low Life (DDD) It was actually for the screening of this film that I met Rory Cochrane., Party Girl (DDDD), Picture Bride (DDDD), Swimming with Sharks (DDD), Unzipped (DDDDD), The Usual Suspects (DDD), The Year of My Japanese Cousin (DDDD),




Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part four next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

Happy 40th SIFF Part Two

1994- “See What The World Is Coming To…” May 20 - June 12

(In Seattle my creative side really came out.)

The previous year I met some friends that had a condo down on First St. and they extended an invitation, but since I had the hotel and the place in Tacoma I didn’t take them up on the offer, but I did this time. I liked being in walking distance to Pikes Place Market, Pioneer Square and the theaters. Walking helps me get to know a place.

(The Space Needle)

Behind the list of films that I saw, if you see a Director or Producers name it means I met them.

(Director and Producer of the film Bad Boy Bubby)

That was the year I met Julia Sweeney and I sat down with Director/Producer Rolf De Heer and actor Nick Hope from the film Bad Boy Bubby (DDDD) which is now a cult classic.

(Movie poster from the film Bad Boy Bubby)

This was also the beginning of the wheels turning for me to go to Australia. I had seen a lot of films that were made there and met many actors and individuals from Australia that I felt comfortable going there. (I don’t travel to places without knowing people there just in case something happens.)

(Actor Nicholas Hope star of the film Bad Boy Bubby)

I met Stephan Elliot, writer and director of the film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (DDDD). This was also the year that I met Thomas Gibson, but once again I didn’t know who he was and I didn’t take a picture.

(A poster from the poster auction representing the film, Love and Human Remains)

Thomas Gibson was the star of the film Love and Human Remains (DDDDD), which is one of my all time favorites. I Met Alan Jacobs, the director of the film Nina Takes A Lover (DDD) he was quite surprised that I wanted his autograph.

I photographed Mimi Rogers that year, who was promoting the film Reflections of a Crime which was originally going to be called Free Regina. The story behind me meeting Miss Rogers was that a friend of mine was working as a freelance writer for one of the local publications. To get me and another friend in, she decided she’d need a photographer. We were all to interview Mimi Rogers, but I wasn’t really a big fan and since we were not allowed to talk about Tom Cruise and other personal matters I thought it was best that I not ask any questions during the interview. The photos I took were very relaxed. She was very nice and very beautiful. After the interview we got to talk and she shared information with me about her new production company. I had plans to write a script, but things changed and it never saw the light of day. (You’ll find out why in the next installment.)

Another funny thing that happened that year was when I met Josh Evans. He was the director and actor of the film Inside The Gold Mine. Josh Evans is the son of Actor Robert Evans. While we were talking we had asked if he had done any other films. He happened to be in one of my favorite films, Ricochet which starred Denzel Washington and John Litgow. When he told me he was one of the leads, I was dumb founded. I had seen this movie many times and I didn’t remember him. I don’t know if it was as bad for him as it was for me. (When I returned home I watched the film and sure enough he was one of the lead characters, but I didn’t remember him. At that time the character didn’t stand out. Now that I’ve met him, there is no way that I’ll ever forget that he was in the film.)
Another interesting story was another young director. I had never heard of him before and so I really didn’t have any interest in photographing him or getting his autograph. He was a young Asian director and writer by the name of Greg Araki. He was promoting his film Totally F**cked Up. I was not impressed with the film and I’ve never seen it available on DVD. (I’d probably add it to the collection just because.) As you’ll find out I did become a big fan of Araki’s later films. I decided that I would become a Goodwill member and show my support. After all, SIFF was creating opportunities for me, why shouldn’t I help out.

A Man in Uniform, Tango, Just Like A Woman (Great Britain), The Young Americans, Up, Down and Sideways (Greece), Stefano (Italy), Sex, Drugs & Democracy Director Johnathan Blank, Producer Barclay Powers (The Netherlands) Golden Balls (Spain), How To Be Miserable and Enjoy It (Spain), Kika (Spain), The Journal De Lady M (Switzerland), East, Drink, Man, Woman, The Beans of Egypt Maine - I met Director Jennifer Warner and actor Rutger Hauer. Ever since Blade Runner I was a fan of his, but I was not expecting him to be so soft spoken and he wasn’t very tall.
Blessing, Clerks, Erotique (Shorts) - Let’s Talk About Sex, Taboo Parlor, Wonton Soup.
Freedom on my Mind I met the Director Connie Fields and Producer Marilyn Mulford.
Love and a .45, and Sleep With Me.




Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com


The Seattle International Film Festival will celebrate it’s 40th year in May of 2014. I’ll review some of my favorite films. And talk about my experiences from 1993 - 1999. Continuing with part three next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again or become a follower. Remember to keep an open mind.

SIFF 40th Anniversary Part One

 (The Egyptian Theatre)

Until 1992 the only film festival I had ever heard of was Canes. Now almost every major city has a film festival.

(Pass holders wait to be let into the theatre)

Like many of you I had never heard of the Seattle International Film Festival, that is until I got a call from my best friend at the time who had moved to Seattle. After he graduated from High School we lost touch. One day out of the blue I got a phone call and we caught up.

(Actor Rory Cochran from the film Dazed and Confused. You may also recognize him from CSI: Miami)

It had always been a dream of mine to make a film. It started out with an 8mm camera I got when I was in elementary school and then I got a VHS video camera. I read books and taught myself how to edit. I took classes and joined groups. I even worked on a few projects, but funding was lost and they never saw the light of day. In 2004 I began shooting digital video.

(See How People Act -This is the program from 1992. I love this cover and was able to get the poster for that one as well.)

When my friend told me about the festival and all of the people he was meeting, I began to think about that dream. We had talked about making a film together. I would write and direct and my friend would be the cinematographer. When he told me about all of the people he was meeting I asked if he had been making contacts, getting numbers, opening doors, but that wasn't his forte. I was always the business person. Raising funds or getting whatever was needed for a project. I knew then that I had to go to Seattle.
I waited for an invite, but I made up my mind whether I got an invite or not I was going to Seattle to attend SIFF. Like most things in my life it all fell into place and my friend invited me to visit. I got a hotel room in Pioneer Square which put me in the heart of everything. We stayed downtown when there were films we wanted to see and when we had a break we stayed in Tacoma.

(Isn't this a great work of art? the 19th year of SIFF)

I've seen hundreds of movies at SIFF. Some really good, some unusual, but all very interesting. I applaud anyone that gets a film made because its not an easy thing to do. Even getting it into a festival isn't that easy.
(I used to be on the screening committee for the New Orleans Film Festival, Cinema 16.)
In 1993 when I first attended SIFF, Daryl MacDonald was the festival director. Everyone made me feel so welcomed. I did have to get used to the weather. It rained, but not what I was used to. It rained constantly like a mist. I was on vacation and I was not going to let this ruin my trip. I bought a nice backpack and a small umbrella and made the best of it. I saw as many movies as I could, but I had to take time out to eat. I could not live off of Starbucks alone like most of the film goers. I was not familiar with Starbucks and I wasn't a coffee drinker. There was a store on almost every corner and a kiosk in front. The program cover was awesome so I picked up a few copies as a keep sake. Mike Lowry was Governor and Norman B. Rice was Mayor. I used one to make notes and another to get autographs. I wasn't sure if I'd meet anyone, but I wanted to be prepared if I did. I also bought the poster which I framed and have hanging on my wall.

(Seattle brought out my creative side)

I will list the films that I saw for each year and whether or not I met someone from the film. I will list its country and a rating if the film is part of my collection, but some films I don't remember them entirely.
You can check out the titles to see if the films are available. There are a few foreign films. There are many films that I am only discovering have made it to DVD, but at the time most of them didn't have any distribution.

As a part of SIFF I got to see films that most people would never see. I got to see how movie deals are made. I got the opportunity to photograph and interview people in the industry and make a few contacts.
In 1993 the festival ran from May 14 - June 6.
There was an Australian actor that appeared in two films, Hammers on the Anvil and Romper Stomper. Hammers on the Anvil was a love story that starred Charlotte Rampling. Romper Stomper was a disturbing film for me as it dealt with racism. The skin heads against the chinese. At that time the unknown Russell Crowe starred and one best actor for both films at the Golden Space Needle Awards. Virtuosity hadn't been released in the U.S. at that point. Since I didn't know who he was I didn't photograph him.
There was a tribute to John Schlesinger and I learned about the secret festival. One is sworn to secrecy about the films that they see at the secret fest.
Sometimes the audiences change the way a film is marketed. Even the titles get changed when a film is released. Sometimes you get to see a film before it is completed, a work in progress. A short film that becomes a feature.
Movies - Much Ado About Nothing (DDD), King of the Hill (D), Midnight Cowboy (DDDD), Sunday Bloody Sunday(DDD), Menace II Society (DDDDD), Romper Stomper- Australia (DDDD), Hammers on the Anvil- Australia (DDDDD), Man Bites Dog -Belgium (DDDD), Heart Strings - China (DD), Un Coeur En Hiver - France, Kitchen and Other Rooms - France (DDD), Les Visiteurs- France (DDDD), Orlando GB, Netherlands, Italy, France (DDDDD), Al Lupo Al Lupo- Italy, For A Lost Soldier(This film was disturbing for me at first, but I really liked it) Netherlands (DDDDD),  Crush- New Zealand, Jamon Jamon Spain (DDDD), House of Angels -Sweden (DDDD), The Wedding Banquet- Taiwan (DDDD), The Abyss Special Edition (I had never seen this film before and to see it on the big screen with footage never seen before was quite the treat) (DDDD), Acting on Impulse (DDDD), An Ambush of Ghosts, Bound by Honor which became Blood In Blood Out (DDDDD), Chain of Desire I met the director and we got to talk Temistocales Lopez (DDDD), Dazed and Confused (DDD) I met and photographed Rory Cochran, Fortress (DD), The Harvest, The Music of Chance (DDD), Quick, Sex Is... I met and photographed director/producer Mark Huestis, Twenty Bucks I met director Keva Rosenfeld (DDD), Vermont is for Lovers, and Don't Call Me Frankie.
After I returned to New Orleans, I decided to become a Goodwill member of SIFF.

Talking About Movies

 (Gillian Robespierre, the writer of Obvious Child during a Q&A after the film.)

Obvious Child - DDDD starring Jenny Slate and Gabby Hoffman. This story of a comedienne who goes through a rough patch finds love after an unexpected event. It’s an interesting film. The humor isn’t for everyone, but you’ll get over it. It’s one of those films that takes a comedic look at a subject that isn’t all so funny and effects many people. Jenny Slate gives an interesting performance. I thought the love making scene was captured artistically. It’s an intimate act that many try to bring a different approach without it being pornographic. It’s an experience that is different for each individual. Sometimes fun or emotional. According to the writer, the title of the film is in reference to a song of the same name. It could be used as a metaphor in a sense. If you get the chance, check this film out.

 (Gillian Robespierre and Jenny Slate on the red carpet before the film Obvious Child.)

Bamboozled - DDDD Spike Lee is a great film maker. There are only one or two films I’ve not seen. I have yet to watch his follow up documentary on Katrina, but I plan to do it this year.

School Daze - DDDDD is my all time favorite Spike Lee film even though I thought some of the musical numbers were too long. Malcolm X is second on my list, followed by Summer of Sam and Inside Man.

As Black History month goes into its final week I decided to watch as many films as possible. Either it has an all black cast or it was directed by a black director.


Menace II Society - (DDDDD) This is a powerful film. Larenz Tate shines in this film as O’Dog, a young man who just doesn’t care any more. I recently mentioned on Facebook that sometimes the leading role isn’t always the best role. This film opened the doors for Larentz Tate to become a leading man. The film stars Tyrin Turner, and Jada Pinket.

Poetic Justice - (DD) This was John Singleton’s second film. The first Black director ever to be nominated for an Oscar, takes us on a road trip, but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. It was as if there was a struggle to make a point or be a comedy. Once again, one of the secondary characters shines. This time its Regina King who has all of the best moments on screen. Perhaps if Janet Jackson were given that role critics would have been kinder.

Cabin In The Sky - (DDDD) Eddie Anderson, Lena Horne and Ethel Waters star in this good vs. evil musical with an all black cast. The film was directed by Vincent Minelli, this was his first film. Butterfly McQueen, Louis Armstrong, Rex Ingram and Duke Ellington also appear in the film. The film is based on the stage play of the same name. There are some great musical numbers and interesting effects.

In The Pursuit of Happyness - (DDDD) This film stars Will Smith and his son Jaden co-stars. It is based on a true story about a man trying to live the American Dream. He doesn’t give up and after a lot of heart ache he gets his life together to take care of his son.

Jason’s Lyric- (DDDD) When I first saw this film I thought this is what Poetic Justice should have been. It’s a love story, it’s filled with conflict, and a good cast. The film stars Jada Pinket, Allen Payne, Lisa Nicole Carson, Eddie Griffith and Treach.

Ali -(DDDDD) This was Will Smith’s first Oscar nominated performance. Will Smith plays Cassius Clay aka Muhammed Ali in the early 60’s. The film focuses on his fight with Sonny Liston and George Forman. His relationship with Malcolm X and the nation of Islam along with his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War. There is a documentary playing SXSW that deals with the controversy around his decision to fight the system against going to war.

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

Check out my other blogs:
http://ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Return to Movies 2014

(This is not a photograph from the film. I just decided I'd start adding photos and I'll try to tie them into the theme.)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) DDDDD This film stars Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, directed by Howard Hawk. I had never seen this film before. Only clips when they do those specials. This has to be one of Marilyn Monroe’s funniest films. The film has a few musical numbers, Including the infamous ‘Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend.’
Marilyn plays a woman obsessed with men who have money and diamonds. Jane Russell is the best friend just looking for love. When ever Marilyn is on the screen she commands it. My focus was always on her. Jane Russell has one interesting musical scene surrounded by a bunch of scantily clad men. She also does a rendition of the classic song impersonating Marilyn who she nicked named Blonde during the making of the film. If you’re not a fan of musicals, this one doesn’t break out into song every five minutes. There are about six musical numbers, but its worth it to see Marilyn Monroe who I don’t think ever looked sexier.

Quest for Fire (1982)  DDDD I’ve not seen this film since the 80’s. It’s an interesting film about a small group of men surviving in the prehistoric era as they search for fire. I didn’t remember how brutal and graphic this film was. I had remembered one rape scene, but there are many. We are not sure how they discovered fire. The film opens with fire and we see smoke and fire, but it isn’t until about thirty minutes before the film is over that we see them make fire, but how did they learn?
The film stars Ron Perlman, Rae Dawn Chong, Everett McGill and Nemeer El-Kadi
The cinematography is interesting as well as the unique dialogue. This is a visual piece of art. It’s like watching a foreign film as we are left to make our own conclusions.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.

Charlotte Sometimes, The Machinist and other films

Charlotte Sometimes and The Machinist -

There are many films that I watch at least once a year. Then there are some that I don’t watch for many years. One such film is Total Recall which stars Arnold Schwarzenagger. Since there had been a lot of talk about the remake I decided to watch the original. I’m not a big fan of remakes. I don’t get the reasoning behind it. Are you trying to prove you can do a better job than another director? That you are trying to improve the writing? Why not create something original? I never understood why Gus Van Sant remade Psycho. Was it to prove to himself that he was just as good as Hitchcock?

Now there are some times when I will sit down and watch a remake. When I had no idea there was another version or if I never saw the original. That will be the case with the film The Great Gatsby. I never saw the original and so I will probably see the remake which stars Leonardo DiCaprio. I will probably pass on seeing the remake of Sparkle on the big screen, but I’ll probably check it out when it is on DVD. I just don’t see why they don’t tell a new story about a young shy girl that becomes a lead vocalist. Sparkle came before Dream Girls, but as long as there is something different stories about the music business are interesting.

Over the last few months I’ve seen many films, but I watched Charlotte Sometimes which I thought was a foreign film. I usually have to be in a certain mood to read subtitles, but when I put the film in the DVD player is was in English. That was a surprise. It’s quite the artsy film with not a lot of dialogue and there’s a little intrigue as we watch the characters come to life.

The story centers on a guy who likes his female best friend who is sleeping with one of his tenants. She finds comfort in his apartment after she is intimate with the tenant. She feels she’s like to set him up with someone, but he isn’t interested.
By accident the plan gets set into motion and a lot of dirty laundry seems to come out.
We have to be careful what we wish for because we never know how it will effect the people around us.

The Machinist was never on my list of films to see. I’ve seen Christian Bale in quite a few films, but I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan. He is a great actor I will say that. I thought Harsh Times was a good film and he was interesting in American Psycho. In The Fighter is was really good. In The Machinist Christian Bale goes where many actors fear to go. Talk about method acting. Christian Bale looked like death. It was hard to watch at times. The film was told in somewhat of a flashback. The opening was somewhat funny, but then the film becomes gritty as we watch as a man deals with his paranoia, brought on by his insomnia which was brought on by a traumatic event. It was good to see Jenifer Jason Leigh back on the big screen, but Christian Bale was this movie.

I don’t know if the scripts character was thin and of course there are many thin actors in Hollywood, who could have played the part. Christian Bale wanted the role and went for it.
He’s not the first actor to go after something that may have not called for his type.
(I don’t know if the script called for the character to be thin, but I’m guessing that was the case.)

In the film Carmen, Dorothy Dandridge was not the first choice for Carmen, but she wanted the role and was willing to prove she had what it took. In the film, Fort Apache The Bronx, Pam Grier was not Paul Newman’s first choice for the serial killer prostitute. Miss Grier proved she was right for the role and gave herself over embodying the character.

Whoopi Goldberg and Louis Gossette, Jr. both went out for roles that were originally written for white actors. The medium in Ghost and the sergeant in An Officer and a Gentleman. This role also won him an Oscar.

When it comes to acting I feel if you can play it why not be given a chance. When Natalie Wood played Maria in the musical film, West Side Story there was a lot of stink about a white actress playing a latina. If you’ve got what it takes, go for it.

Lena Horn would tell this story in her one woman show about trying for the role of Night of the Iguana. Because of her skin color they didn’t think she was black enough and they came up with a make up so she could look darker and once they did that they realized they could use it on Ava Gardener and she got the role.

Sometimes things work and sometimes it doesn’t. We have to learn not to give up on something we believe in. If it doesn’t work out it just wasn’t meant to be.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.


http://artbydlonzo.blogspot.com

http://vimeo.com/27482821

http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=54325957

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=54365247